Demonstration In Ajk: Hundreds protest against loadshedding

MUZAFFARABAD: People in Muzaffarabad took out to streets on Monday to protest against what they said unannounced load-shedding in the city. The protesters shouted slogans against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Electricity Department. “AJK generates more than 1,200 megawatts of electricity but does not get 300 megawatts to meet its requirements,” said Zahid Amin Kashif, who addressed the protesters. He blamed WAPDA for this “injustice”. He claimed that the authorities were carrying out 10-12 hours load-shedding in cities and more than 15 hours in the rural areas. He said the load-shedding had affected the business activities in AJK. The protesters blocked Abbottabad Road and the police had to fire teargas to disperse them. It was the second protest in a week time against power cuts in the AJK capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2014.